How to get a new cable soldered onto my mic?

February 6, 2008 7:05 PM

I managed to slice most of the way through both the rubbery insulation and the copper cable on my stereo condenser microphone. Don't ask me how (I'm a total idiot). Is there somewhere I can send it to have the cord (miniplug stereo) replaced? I realize it's basic geek task, but I'm not quite confident enough myself. And I have zero idea where to send such a thing to be done. I could just solder the existent cord myself and crimp it, but that wouldn't work 'cuz the mic gets lots of rough use.
posted by jimmyjimjim to technology (10 comments total)

Maybe give responders a little hint about WHERE THE HELL YOU ARE, and you might win on this...
posted by pompomtom at 7:17 PM on February 6, 2008

It's a small mic, perfectly mailable. So doesn't matter where I am.

And I'd prefer paying a professional do it rather than drumming up a local geek who'd do me the favor, because 1. it couldn't be that expensive anyway, and 2. I really like the mic and don't want to take a chance on someone screwing it up.
posted by jimmyjimjim at 7:28 PM on February 6, 2008

ok. professional sound engineer in canada here... where art thou?
posted by chasles at 7:39 PM on February 6, 2008

It's a small mic, perfectly mailable. So doesn't matter where I am.

Just picking a country or state may significantly help the cost, though...
posted by Brockles at 7:43 PM on February 6, 2008

For a lot of equipment of this kind, repair costs more than replacement and yields a less satisfactory result. Maybe it's time to buy a new microphone.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 7:43 PM on February 6, 2008

Take it to a local music store /guitar repairs guy. They work on the pick ups, have tools to solder, and know about impedance issues, and probably fix microphones for travelling music troupes. Find a roadie..
posted by Agamenticus at 7:49 PM on February 6, 2008

Get some wire cap connectors from your local Radio Shack hardware store.

Take a pair of sharp scissors and gently cut into the rubber insulation about a cm away from the end. Rotate the wire until you've got the rubber cut through. Avoid cutting any of the thin copper wires inside. Slide the disconnected little tube of rubber insulation material off. Do the same for the other wires. Remember which wire connects with which. Sometimes in a two-wire system, one has a white stripe running down it. Otherwise, the wires will be colour coded.

Fray the ends a little, twist together with it's mate. Stick it in the cap, twist cap. Wrap the whole shebang in electrical or black duct/gaffer's tape. The wider duct/gaffer's tape will help a lot in making the connection physically strong. Gaffer's tape doesn't get sticky over time like duct tape does. For added strength, tape it in a spiral spanning the formerly disconnected region.

Earn yourself a 'geek' badge.
posted by porpoise at 8:16 PM on February 6, 2008

If it's a microphone of any real value and you want to get it recorded, I'm pretty sure gotham sound can do it for you. They're in nyc and quite googleable.
posted by history is a weapon at 8:28 PM on February 6, 2008

chasles: connecticut USA

porpoise: thanks, but that's precisely what I was referencing with "I could just solder the existent cord myself and crimp it, but that wouldn't work 'cuz the mic gets lots of rough use."

History and Agamenticus: thanks for the leads (no pun intended)
posted by jimmyjimjim at 8:50 PM on February 6, 2008

If it's an expensive microphone, the manufacturer should be able to replace the cable for you.
posted by gjc at 6:55 AM on February 7, 2008